Saturday Friends is a socialization and supported play program designed to offer fun, safe and appropriate activities for children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other developmental disabilities. We focus on fostering friendship and understanding for siblings while providing respite, support and education for parents. Saturday Friends is offered on most second and fourth Saturdays of the month from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in Marcy and Lowville.
Saturday Night Friends is a later day extension of the Saturday Friends program. This socialization and supported play program is designed to offer fun, safe and appropriate activities for children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and other developmental disabilities and their siblings, while providing respite for their parents. This program is offered on most first and third Saturdays of the month, from 2:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Frederick R. Illg Day Hab Center at 9081 River Road, Marcy, NY. Dinner is served.
In both the Saturday Friends and Saturday Night Friends programs, trained Arc staff and volunteers from local high schools and colleges focus on creating an atmosphere that encourages interaction and involvement. Activities and materials are planned around children’s strengths and needs.
Siblings have the opportunity to meet and form friendships with other children who have a brother or sister with a disability. These typically developing children will gain a better understanding of the abilities of children with disabilities while they provide positive role models for play and communication.
Parents are welcome to stay and observe, get together with other parents to share experiences and ideas or use the time as respite from the on-going care of their children.
A child must be Medicaid Waiver eligible to participate in either of these programs (Saturday Friends or Saturday Night Friends).
The programs are designed for children ages 5 and up.
Reservations are required.
Marcy Flyer | 2012 Marcy Calendar
Lowville Flyer | 2012 Lowville Calendar
Saturday Night Friends Flyer | 2012 Saturday Night Friends Calendar
Download Application Please be sure to specify which program your child is applying for.
For more information, please contact:
Cherie Alberski, Children’s Respite Programs Coordinator
Phone:
315.272.1581
Email: calberski@thearcolc.org